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Ford’s apology just won’t cut it

Thu., Nov. 7, 2013

Re:

So Mayor Rob Ford, the bully, and his brother, the loudmouth, have come clean. Unfortunately, it was the phoniest load of crap I have ever heard. For months they have berated, insulted and lied to the people of Toronto, the press and most recently the police chief.

A few fake tears and sighs won’t cut it. This guy accused people on the left of plotting against him, he denied access to the press who broke the story and as late as today his brother was asking for the police chief’s head.

The city of Toronto deserves better. The mayor should take the high road and resign. This scandal ridden mayor has a lot more to explain than smoking crack. Why did he associate with known criminals? Why did he hire a drug dealer to be his driver? Why did he grope a woman at a public event? Why was he sleeping at a council meeting? Why the racial slurs aimed at high school athletes? A lot of “whys”, but no answers forthcoming.

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Like most bullies the mayor has shown he is a coward. The people of Toronto need to say “No” to bullying and send the brothers Ford on their way.

Bob File, Hamilton

Either Rob Ford, and his brother Doug, are complete dimwitted idiots, or they believe Toronto taxpayers are. The mayor has the nerve to issue a self-serving apology, overusing the word “sincerely,” a word he doesn’t know the meaning of.

He sheds crocodile tears about how difficult this has been for him, as if he’s the injured party and we should feel sorry for him. Never able to completely accept blame for anything, he again chastizes the media, this time for not asking the right questions (a lie), as if semantics would excuse him from his disgraceful behaviour.

No apology to the Star for having continually defamed the paper and its staff through his lies and denials. No apology for referring to all media as maggots. He continues his contempt of the media, and by extension, the public he claims to serve, by refusing to answer questions and offer some insight into his actions.

Then he has the nerve in his moment of false contrition to do some electioneering. He repeats his claim that he’s saved our tax dollars (he hasn’t, having squandered far more tax dollars on his nonsensical Scarborough transit plans than he may have saved elsewhere). Aside from that disputable claim, what has he done? Rapid transit for Scarborough, which would have been operational in the next year or so, is again off in the future, the better part of another decade away. He has been on the wrong side of so many issues — waterfront redevelopment, casinos in Toronto, even the number of police the city needs. Is it sheer incompetence, or has his mind been clouded by his many vices?

He loves his job — who wouldn’t? Decent paycheque, come in late, leave early, party in your office, indulge in your hobbies on company time, and don’t publish a schedule so no one knows what you’re doing in the brief time you actually are on the job.

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Six months of lies and slander and he “confesses” only when he knows there is no way out and the truth will finally be revealed, with or without his cooperation. It really begs the question, you were lying then, are you lying now?

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I very much doubt the mayor has any credibility left, and few taxpayers will be fooled a second time.

Terry Kushnier, Scarborough

After watching the latest Rob Ford’s apology, I am finally feeling angry. Up until now, I have been disgusted and even at times, entertained. How can you admit to such activities and just be able to say sorry? It is much like the doted upon child who only has to say, “I’m sorry,” and then it’s as if nothing ever happened.

Mr. Ford, saying sorry is not enough. Grow up and take proper responsibility by taking action to demonstrate to the taxpayers of this city that you are indeed deserving of your office.

Lynda Hurley, Toronto

By far the scariest aspect of this whole sordid affair is that there is no way for the elected members of our council to remove a mayor unless he is convicted and given a jail sentence. It’s too late for us now, but the time is more than right for the province to change the municipal act to prevent a repeat of this fiasco in the future.

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